In addition to performing regular maintenance, you must also keep an eye out for potential problems that might affect your tyres. Regular inspections can help you prevent tyre trouble, and keep you safely on the move.

When inspecting your tyres, look for:

Uneven tread wear - This can include more wear on one tread edge than the other, a rippled pattern of high and low wear, or exposed steel wire. Uneven wear can be caused by problems such as underinflation, misalignment and improper balancing or suspension problems.

Shallow tread - Wet Grip reduces as tyres wear. To help you see tread problems, tyres have built in "tread wear indicators." These are narrow bars of smooth rubber that run across the tread. When the tread is nearly even with the bars, it is time to replace the tyres.

Troublemakers - Check for small stones, pieces of glass, bits of metal and other foreign objects that might be wedged into the tread, and carefully pick them out. They can cause serious problems if they are pushed further into your tyre as you drive.

Damaged areas - Cracks, cuts, splits, punctures, holes and bulges in the tread or on the sides of the tyre can indicate serious problems, and the tyre may need to be replaced. Seek professional advice immediately.

Slow leaks – Wheel and tyre assemblies may lose some air pressure (about 2 psi) over the course of a month or so, but if you find that you have to add air every few days, have the tyre, wheel and valve checked - and if necessary, repair or replace the tyre.

Valve caps - Those little caps on your tyre's valve stem keep moisture and dirt out, so make sure they are on all your tyres. Also, when you have a tyre replaced, have a new valve stem assembly installed at the same time.

Driving on a damaged tyre can be dangerous. If you see something you're not sure about during your inspection, have it examined by your tyre dealer.

Driving on any tyre that does not have the correct inflation pressure is dangerous. The correct inflation pressure for your tyres may be found in the vehicle owner's manual.

An underinflated tyre may not carry the designed load and builds up excessive heat that may result in sudden tyre destruction. A loss of fuel economy may also be experienced.

Over inflated tyres may suffer reduced grip and may wear out the tread centre. Over inflated tyres may be more prone to puncture and damage of the sidewalls.

Refer to the vehicle owner’s manual for the recommended operating inflation pressures. These pressures must be maintained as a minimum.

If you are replacing the original size tyres with tyres of a different size, you must consult a tyre dealer or your vehicle manufacturer to determine the correct inflation pressure for your new tyres. Checking Tyre Pressure Check your tyre inflation pressures, including the spare, at least once a month and before going on a long trip. Tyre pressure should be measured when tyres are cold - that is, they have not been driven on. Otherwise, your tyres may have heated up, increasing the air pressure inside them by several pounds. This is normal. Never "bleed" or reduce the air pressure in a hot tyre. Failure to maintain correct inflation pressures may result in rapid wear and uneven tread wear, improper vehicle handling, reduction in fuel economy and excessive heat build-up which may result in tyre failure. (Evidence of air loss or repeated underinflation requires tyre removal and expert inspection.)

Wheel alignment and balancing are important for safety, comfort and maximum mileage from your tyres. Inspect your tyres at least once a month for signs of uneven wear or damage (ie. cuts, cracks, splits, penetrations, bulges, and impacts.)

Uneven wear patterns may be caused by incorrect inflation pressure, misalignment, incorrect balance or suspension neglect. If not corrected, further tyre damage will occur. These conditions shorten the life of your tyres and may result in loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.

You should have your alignment checked periodically as specified by the vehicle owner's manual or whenever you have an indication of trouble such as pulling or vibration.

Do not overload your tyres. Driving on any overloaded tyre is dangerous.

The maximum load rating of your tyres is marked on the tyre sidewall. Do not exceed these ratings. Tyres which are loaded beyond their maximum allowable loads for the particular application will build up excessive heat that may result in sudden tyre destruction. Integral damage may be caused to the tyre which cannot be seen (even if removed from the wheel and inspected).

Do not exceed the gross axle weight ratings for any axle on your vehicle. Consult the vehicle placard and/or vehicle owner’s manual to determine the gross axle weight rating. Following the loading instructions of the vehicle manufacturer should ensure that your tyres are not overloaded.

If you are replacing the original size tyres with tyres of a different size, the replacement tyres must have a load carrying capacity equal to or greater than the original equipment tyres and the overall diameter must not vary more than +/-2% to maintain the correct rolling circumference. They must also be compatible with the vehicle and wheels if these are to be changed.

Load Index

J

K

L

N

P

Q

R

S

T

U

H

V

W

Y

Max Km/h

100

110

120

140

150

160

170

180

190

200

210

240

270

300

Speed Symbol

LI

Kg

LI

Kg

LI

Kg

LI

Kg

LI

Kg

LI

Kg

LI

Kg

67

307

74

375

81

462

88

560

95

690

102

850

109

1030

68

315

75

387

82

475

89

580

96

710

103

875

110

1060

69

325

76

400

83

487

90

600

97

730

104

900

111

1090

70

335

77

412

84

500

91

615

98

750

105

925

112

1120

71

345

78

425

85

515

92

630

99

775

106

950

113

1150

72

355

79

437

86

530

93

650

100

800

107

975

114

1180

73

365

80

450

87

545

94

670

101

825

108

1000

115

1215

Towing a trailer: Check the vehicle owner’s manual supplied by the manufacturer of your vehicle for further recommendations on trailer towing.

Repairs should only be carried out by a tyre repair specialist. The repairer accepts full responsibility/liability for the repair and no manufacturing warranty shall apply. Cooper Tire does not recommend the use of pre-puncture sealants. Never use a tube in a tubeless tyre as a substitute for a proper repair.

When tyres are stored they should be stored in a cool, dry place away from sources of sunlight, heat and ozone such as hot pipes and electric motors. Tyres should be stored so there is no danger of water collecting inside them. Be sure that surfaces on which tyres are stored are clean and free from grease, fuels, or other substances which could deteriorate the rubber. Tyres exposed to these materials during storage or driving may be weakened and subject to sudden failure. Also, be sure to allow air to circulate around all sides of the tyres, including underneath, to prevent moisture damage.

When storing tyres flat (one on top of the other), stack so that tyres on the bottom retain their shape and rotate the stack on a regular basis to maintain the shape of the lowest tyres.

If storing tyres outdoors, protect them with an opaque waterproof covering and elevate them from the ground. Do not store tyres on black asphalt, other heat-absorbent surfaces, snow-covered ground or sand.